Valladolid suspend Pele

Midfielder in trouble in Spain

Real Valladolid have started disciplinary procedures against Portuguese midfielder Vitor Pele, who has been temporarily excluded from first-team training.

The Valladolid players today returned to training following two days off after losing a crucial match with relegation rivals Xerez 3-0 on Sunday evening. According to Marca, fans arrived at the club’s training ground and voiced their displeasure with the performance, with the side still 19th in the La Liga table.

According to club sources connected to the Spanish paper, Pele did not join his team-mates for this morning’s session, having been made the subject of disciplinary action. The nature of the problem and possible ramifications are not yet known, but the 22-year-old will not return to the group until the matter is finalised.

Currently on loan from FC Porto until the end of the season, Pele has started each of the team’s last six matches, but was substituted at the break during the weekend defeat.